Samsung Galaxy S5 Overview

The current S5 stock on sale are official UK stock. EU stock with a 3 pin UK adaptor has been previously sold, but is currently not on sale.

For information regarding the international region lock on new Samsung stock, please refer to the end of this description**

Welcome to our listing for the UK SIM Free Samsung Galaxy S5. The S5 is the latest addition to the Samsung Galaxy S range.

Samsung has created the S5 in four different colours: Black, White, Blue and Gold, and with two different storage options: 16GB and 32GB. Above this text you can view the different options that we have available to purchase, and below you can read more about the Galaxy S5, its features, and its specs.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Main features

Before we delve into the detail, let us have a quick look at the stand out features of the Galaxy S5:

Fingerprint Scanner

Heart Rate Sensor

Download Booster

16MP Camera with 0.3 second autofocus

IP67 protection rating (dust and water resistant)

2.5GHz Quad-Core Processor

MicroUSB 3.0 (for extra fast charging and file transfer)

5.1" Full HD Super AMOLED

This list is just the tip of the iceberg - the S5 has plenty more to offer. We'll look at all these features more thoroughly below.

Fingerprint Scanner

Samsung has integrated a fingerprint scanner into the home button of the Galaxy S5. The scanner can be used to unlock the device, or to validate purchases online. You can store prints for three different fingers, meaning that more than one person can have access to the device even when fingerprint security is turned on.

Currently there are not many other handsets that include a fingerprint scanner, and the Galaxy S5 is the first Android handset to integrate it into the home button. The HTC One Max does include a scanner on its rear, and Apple has also worked it into the home button of its latest iPhone, but other than that it is a feature that still remains scarce among smartphones.

Camera

The Samsung Galaxy S5 camera is one of the best available in a smartphone. One of its biggest selling points is the fact that it can autofocus in 0.3 seconds, which is currently the quickest of any smartphone.

The sensor of the S5 camera is a whopping 16MP, so you'll get plenty of detail in your photos. The S5 also has 4K recording capability, meaning that home made videos look better than ever. The Galaxy S5 also supports real-time HDR processing, which helps it to produce better quality photos in mixed lighting environments.

As well as the hardware, Samsung has also improved the software features of the S5 camera. Special effects (such as object removal) can now be applied once a photo has been taken, whereas previously they had to be applied whilst taking the photo. Finally, the camera interface has been simplified for the S5, which makes it easier and quicker to change settings and apply special effects.

Speed & Power

The Galaxy S5 is an incredibly powerful smartphone. Its 2.5GHz quad-core processor and 2GB RAM work together to ensure that apps and games run as smoothly as possible. Such credentials also mean that browsing the device is seamless, whether you're flicking through home screens, switching between apps or using the variety of other features that the S5 has to offer.

The Galaxy S5 isn't just fast when it comes to processing power, but also internet downloads and file transfers. The former is enhanced by the new Download Booster, which combines Wi-Fi and 4G to ensure that you get the fastest possible download speeds.

Samsung first included microUSB 3.0 with the Galaxy Note 3, and it has now done so with the Samsung Galaxy S5. MicroUSB 3.0 has a slightly larger, uglier connector, but it's worth it for the extra speed that it brings. A two hour movie will transfer to your phone in under a minute, whilst charging is also significantly better; it takes around an hour to give the phone a full charge with the microUSB 3.0 charger.

Even though the Galaxy S5 is microUSB 3.0 compatible, you are not limited to only microUSB 3.0 chargers and cables, i.e., you can still use the smaller microUSB 2.0 connection, it just means that charging/files transfers will take longer than they do with MicroUSB 3.0.

Video out (MHL) and USB Hosting

The microUSB port on the Samsung Galaxy S5 isn't just super-fast for charging and data transfer, it's also got a few other functions: MHL 2.0 (video out), USB On-the-go (OTG), and USB hosting.

With MHL 2.0 you can connect the Galaxy S5 to another display, such as your TV, and mirror its display. This means that any content stored on the device - videos, games, photos, etc. - can be played back on the larger screen. This is perfect when you want to watch a movie and share home made videos with friends and family.

As for USB OTG and USB hosting, these are features that have been included with Samsung Galaxy handsets for a while but are still lacking from many rival handsets. With a USB OTG adaptor (sold separately), the Galaxy S5 can act as a 'host' for other USB devices. This means that you can connect accessories such as a USB hard drive, keyboards and nearly anything else that is powered by a USB drive.

Dust and water resistant

The Galaxy S5 has an IP67 protection rating, meaning that is is water and dust resistant. This is the first time that Samsung has included the feature with its flagship handset. It did release the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active last year, which was a toughened variation of the Galaxy S4, but this came with the compromise of extra bulk and a reduced feature set.

The water and dust resistance brings extra piece of mind when you're out and about: you don't need to worry about your Galaxy S5 getting damaged in the rain or if you're in a dusty location such as a workshop. The Galaxy S5 can actually be submerged in up to three feet of water for half an hour at a time, which strictly speaking makes it waterproof, but by the lawful definitions of IP ratings, it should be regarded as water-resistant.

Storage space

The Galaxy S5 is offered with either 16GB or 32GB of internal storage. We have the memory size stated with the options listed at the top of this page.

There's a lot that we need to fit into our phones these days - music, games, videos, photos, books and more - so if you find the internal storage inadequate there's the option of adding microSD memory.

The Galaxy S5 can take microSD cards up to 128GB and is one of the first handsets to do so. The S4 can only take cards as large as 64GB, so in this sense the storage has been doubled. As mentioned earlier, you can also connect USB drives to the S5, so if there isn't room on your device or SD card, you can access files in this way.

Battery life

The Galaxy S5 has a battery capacity of 2,800mAh. That's an improvement of 200mAh when compared to the S4, which is impressive when you consider that the S5 is only 0.2mm thicker than its predecessor.

Ultra Power Saving Mode

What's really special about the S5 battery, though, is Ultra Power Saving Mode. This is a feature that can be turned on when you are extremely low on battery, or if you would like to maximise the time between charges.

Switching on Ultra Power Saving Mode includes the option to turn off colours on the S5 screen (everything is shown in black and white) and will disable the majority of connectivity options so that power consumption is kept to a minimum.

To give a rough idea of how much battery you can save, Samsung says that turning on Ultra Power Saving Mode with 10% battery remaining will provide the S5 with another 24 hours battery life in standby mode.In its normal mode, the S5 will offer 21 hours talk time or 390 hours standby time, so even under a very heavy load the battery should still be lasting for up to 24 hours.

Another option for boosting battery life is to carry an extra battery. This may sound like a simple suggestion, but its only made possible by the fact that the S5 has a removable battery, which many competitor devices do not. Samsung manufactures an extra battery kit for the S5, which we range here at Clove.

**Since September 2013, Samsung have implemented a 'region lock' on all new stock. Clove Technology only have access to the “European” models of new Samsung stock. The compatible countries are listed at the end of the product description and marked on the product's box.

For correct operation, this handset should be activated inside one of these countries with a SIM card issued for use there. The device will then be able to accept SIM cards from outside of these countries.

Activation requires turning the device on for the first time & completing set-up with the SIM installed, then completing at least 5 minutes of voice call(s) with this SIM.

You may still use the device outside of these countries when 'roaming' - using a SIM card from these countries in an already activated device.

If this activation procedure is not followed then the device will lock when used with a SIM card from outside of these regions. Local Samsung support may provide a code to unlock such handsets.

All member states of the E.E.A and the following additional territories: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (F.Y.R.O.M), Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Serbia and Vatican City.

IF YOUR CHOSEN DELIVERY COUNTY IS NOT LISTED, CLOVE TECHNOLOGY WILL BREAK THE SEAL ON THIS DEVICE AND ACTIVATE IT. YOU MUST AGREE TO THIS PROCEDURE IN THE CHECKOUT BEFORE THE SALE WILL COMPLETE.

Yes, this phone is SIM Free and unlocked and can be used with networks around the world. Do check the specifications to ensure compatibility in your region with your network provider. No SIM card or contract applies to this phone.

Is this phone brand new?

Yes. Unless the description of the product suggests otherwise (I.e. EX-DEMO) then this product is brand new and has not been used before.

Is there any network/operator branding?

No - There is only the manufacturer’s branding.

Does the phone have a Micro SDHC/memory card slot?

Yes. It can take microSD cards up to a size of 128GB.

What SIM card does this phone use?

This phone takes a micro SIM card

Is this handset LTE compatible?

Yes

Does this phone have a removable battery?

Yes

Do you have a question?

Your Name:

Your Email:

Your Question:

Security:

To ensure we do not get spammed by robots filling in this form, please would you type in the largest number from this list - 6, 98, 34, 6, 13

Be the first to write a review!

Your Name:

Location:

Your Review:

Star Rating?

Recommend?:

Security:

To ensure we do not get spammed by robots filling in this form, please would you type in the largest number from this list - 6, 98, 34, 6, 13